What You Need to Know About Xeomin vs. Botox

About:

• Xeomin and Botox are two different brands of botulinum toxin type A injections.
• Both are approved for certain medical conditions, as well as some facial wrinkles.
• These injections work by relaxing your muscles in targeted areas.

Safety:

• Botulinum injections carry certain risks, such as breathing difficulties. This is caused by the possible spread of the toxin.
• Risks may be greater when the injections are used for off-label purposes.
• Common side effects include pain, redness, and bruising at the injection sites.

Convenience:

• Botulinum toxin treatments take just minutes to complete.
• Depending on the condition being treated, these injections are given in clinics or doctors’ offices.
• For lasting effects, you need to repeat your treatment at least every 3 months.

Cost:

• Botulinum toxin injections cost an average of $408 per treatment.
• Insurance may cover medical (therapeutic) uses for Xeomin and Botox.
• Injections for aesthetic purposes are generally not covered by insurance.

Efficacy:

• Both Xeomin and Botox are approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for certain uses.
• Off-label uses aren’t guaranteed to be effective and may increase the risk of side effects.

Xeomin and Botox are two types of botulinum toxin type A injections that are FDA approved. While they belong to the same class of injections and work by reducing muscle contractions in targeted areas, these two injections have slight differences to consider based on what you’re looking to treat.

The FDA first approved IncobotulinumtoxinA (Xeomin) in 2010. Like Botox, Xeomin injections temporarily relax activity in the muscles being targeted.

OnabotulinumtoxinA (Botox) was first approved for certain medical uses in 1989. The FDA approved it for cosmetic purposes in 2002, as well as for chronic migraine in 2010.

Botox injections used for aesthetic purposes are commonly referred to as Botox Cosmetic. These treat a variety of fine lines and wrinkles, while Xeomin treats frown lines only.

These two types of injections both contain botulinum toxin type A. They work in a similar fashion by temporarily relaxing certain muscles in the area of treatment.

Both Xeomin and Botox can start working within a week. Results may also last between 3 and 6 months at a time before you need follow-up injections.

However, despite the similarities, you should not use Xeomin and Botox interchangeably. Your doctor or dermatologist will help you decide which is the best botulinum injection for your medical needs or aesthetic goals, and make appropriate recommendations.

One major difference between these two botulinum injections is that Xeomin has no additives that could increase the risk of your body developing antibodies against it. This could mean that, unlike other injections, your body will not build a resistance to Xeomin, thereby increasing the chances of getting the effects you’re looking for.

Also, Botox requires refrigeration, and Xeomin does not. While refrigeration alone does not make one product better than the other, this could make Xeomin more accessible.

Xeomin and Botox also treat similar conditions, with a few differences.

Both approved to treat the following:

• blepharospasm, which causes involuntary eyelid twitching
• frown lines
• cervical dystonia, a rare condition that causes abnormal muscle activity and positioning of the neck
• upper limb spasticity

Botox is also used to treat:

• chronic migraine
• forehead lines and crow’s feet (Botox Cosmetic)
• overactive bladder
• abnormal eye muscle alignment (strabismus)
• primary axillary hyperhidrosis (severe underarm sweating)

Xeomin is FDA approved to treat chronic sialorrhea (drooling) in both children and adults. While some studies have shown the injection may help migraine, it is not yet approved for such purposes.

Some uses of Botox and Xeomin are considered off-label, especially when used for certain pediatric patients or for conditions that the FDA has not approved.

For example, some doctors use Botox for chronic migraine in children, but the treatment is not approved for this age group. This could mean that your insurance will not cover the injections.

Both Xeomin and Botox are injections that are used in targeted muscles. The exact dosage and number of injections vary depending on the type of condition being treated. For example, each Botox treatment for chronic migraine involves an average of 31 injections in seven different areas.

Also, while the effects wear off after several months, individual results may vary so you might need repeat treatment sooner. For example, Botox for chronic migraine lasts about 3 months.

As with any injection or shot, Xeomin and Botox may cause the following temporary side effects:

• pain
• redness
• bruising
• itching
• swelling
• bleeding

Xeomin

Xeomin has been associated with the following side effects when used as a treatment for blepharospasm:

• dry eye
• sagging eyelids
• vision problems
• breathing difficulties
• headache
• dry mouth
• diarrhea

Other possible side effects include:

• runny nose
• nasal congestion
• upper respiratory infections
• high blood pressure
• vomiting

Botox

Botox may also cause:

• facial drooping or weakness (Botox Cosmetic uses)
• headache
• flu-like symptoms

It’s important to follow your doctor’s aftercare instructions carefully to reduce the risk of side effects. In general, you can resume your normal activities when using these injections for cosmetic purposes.

While there’s technically no recovery time needed for these injections, you should avoid massaging the treatment area. This can reduce your risk for treatment migration.

All types of botulinum injections carry the risk of spreading to other areas of your body, potentially leading to serious complications. Such risks may be greater in off-label uses.

There have also been different side effects reported for Xeomin and Botox, based on what they are used to treat.

For example, when considering Xeomin for cervical dystonia, you should talk with your doctor about the possibility of developing neck and muscle pain.

Xeomin has also been associated with breathing, swallowing, and speaking problems, which can occur up to weeks after receiving injections.

You should also tell your doctor about any over-the-counter and prescription medications you take before or after receiving these injections. Botulinum toxin may interact with:

• muscle relaxants
• antibiotics
• sleep medications
• allergy medications
• cold medications

Botox and Xeomin both contain forms of botulinum type A. These injections are used for similar conditions, with Botox offering slightly more FDA-approved uses.

Still, the exact choice depends on what you’re looking to treat, as well as your doctor’s recommendations. Serious side effects of these injections are rare, but it’s important to discuss all risks with your doctor before undergoing treatment.